Further Leave to Remain (FLR)
An application for Further Leave to Remain (FLR) will allow you to extend your stay in the United Kingdom (UK) by a fixed period. Once FLR is approved, a new stamp will be added in your passport granting you Further Leave to Remain in the UK for the approved period. If you would like further information and personal advice on Further Leave to Remain, please complete the simple query form below.
When you apply for further leave to remain, you apply to extend you time in the UK for a specific period of time. In doing so, you are required to get a new stamp in your passport which grants you Limited Leave to Remain in the UK.
Which visa categories qualify for further leave to remain?
You may qualify for FLR if you are applying for an extension of stay, otherwise referred to as limited leave to remain, in the UK in one of the following immigration categories:
- Work Permit (WP)
- Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP)
- Seasonal Agricultural Workers? Scheme (SAWS)
- Sectors-Based Scheme (SBS)
- Training or Work Experience Scheme (TWES)
- Postgraduate Doctor or Dentist
- Au Pair
- Teacher or Language Assistant under an approved scheme
- Student
- Spouse
- Dependent
There are also a number of other categories that may qualify for FLR.
Can I gain further leave to remain on a different type of visa?
Under certain circumstances, you may change your Limited Leave to Remain from one category to another, commonly referred to as switching. This applies to applicants that entered the country under one immigration category, but have since had a change in their immigration status. For example, an applicant may enter the UK as a Working Holidaymaker, but might then apply for HSMP. Once the HSMP is approved, the applicant may then be able to apply for FLR as a HSMP permit holder.
Under other circumstances, you may not be able to switch categories. For example, it is not possible to switch from being a student to being a highly skilled migrant or work permit holder unless you have finished a degree level course from a recognised university in the UK.
If the Immigration Rules do not allow those with your particular circumstances to switch categories, you will need to leave the UK and make a fresh application for entry clearance in your home country under your new immigration category instead. For example, if the immigration rules do not allow a Working Holidaymaker that has applied for a Work Permit to apply for FLR, then the applicant will need to leave the UK once the Work Permit is approved, and seek entry clearance in their home country as a Work Permit holder before returning.
When do I need to organise further leave to remain?
You must organise your FLR application before your existing leave expires. If you overstay, that is, you stay in the UK past the date your initial limited leave to remain had been granted until, you are committing an offence that may impact further immigration applications, such as a future application to live in the UK permanently or a future application to visit the UK.
